Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GUANGZHOU193
2009-04-01 07:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Guangzhou
Cable title:  

VISA REFERRAL PROGRAM: GUANGZHOU AMCHAM NEARLY FLAWLESS

Tags:  CVIS CMGT ECON CH 
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VZCZCXRO6045
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHGZ #0193 0910727
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 010727Z APR 09
FM AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0378
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0259
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0082
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 0080
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 0080
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 0113
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 0067
UNCLAS GUANGZHOU 000193 

STATE FOR CA/VO, CA/EX
ALSO FOR EAP/CM,
BEIJING FOR EXEC, CG, NIV, ECON, FCS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS CMGT ECON CH
SUBJECT: VISA REFERRAL PROGRAM: GUANGZHOU AMCHAM NEARLY FLAWLESS

UNCLAS GUANGZHOU 000193

STATE FOR CA/VO, CA/EX
ALSO FOR EAP/CM,
BEIJING FOR EXEC, CG, NIV, ECON, FCS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS CMGT ECON CH
SUBJECT: VISA REFERRAL PROGRAM: GUANGZHOU AMCHAM NEARLY FLAWLESS


1. (U) Summary: A recent validation study conducted by the
Guangzhou Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU) with the assistance of the
Office of Fraud Prevention Programs revealed that post's American
Chamber of Commerce of South China (AmCham) referral program
continues to function almost flawlessly. As the Consulate's most
visible example of our commitment to facilitate legitimate business
travel, the AmCham referral program provides not only convenience to
travelers and companies, but also ease of adjudication for consular
officers. Between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008 post issued 2,886
AmCham referrals; post confirmed that 2,882 have returned to China
after their business trips. Post confirmed that 99.86% of VRP
applicants returned to China after completion of their business
trips to the United States. Trends in business travel related to
the economic downturn in southern China will be reported separately.
End summary.


2. (U) Background: Since first established in 1997, Guangzhou's
AmCham referral program has been extremely beneficial to both Post
and the local American business community. AmCham has more than
1,650 members, including many who participate in the Visa Referral
Program (VRP). To qualify for AmCham membership a company must be
principally owned by a U.S. citizen and have an office in China. At
the time of adjudication VRP applicants present an invitation
letter, an invitation letter, and their rsum. AmCham applicants
are allotted twenty interviews slots each afternoon, in addition to
drop-box service available for those who have traveled to the U.S.
within the past year.


3. (U) AmCham deals directly with the company sponsoring the trip,
not with the applicants. AmCham handles all cases submitted
through the VRP. After ensuring that all documents are in order, the
applications are transferred by courier to the NIV section. Post
then adjudicates AmCham referrals separately each afternoon. In
order for companies to maintain membership in the referral program,
AmCham requires the company to submit a copy of the return page of
the applicant's passport within one week of completion of the
business trip.


4. (U) In a high fraud locale like Guangzhou, adjudicating officers
appreciate the confidence created by membership in AmCham
employment, as well as AmCham's follow up confirmations. AmCham
values the expedited processing and the cachet of having a special
channel for members to submit visa applications. Between July 1,
2007 and June 30, 2008, post received 2,902 referrals through
AmCham; post approved 99.48% of the VRP program's applicants.


5. (U) Methodology: FPU used the Ad Hoc Report Tool (ART) to pull
records of all VRP issuances and refusals from July 1, 2007, until
June 30, 2008. Post then requested assistance from FPP to check
ADIS records for entry, exit, and change of status for each
applicant. ADIS records are sometimes incomplete, for example,
airline employees that buy planes in the United States and then fly
them back to China may not be recorded as departing the United
States. Thirty-seven travelers did not show a record of departure.
FPU made cold calls to verify their whereabouts.


6. (U) Results: Post confirmed that 99.86% of VRP applicants
returned to China after completing their business trips to the
United States. Only four remain inconclusive because of a lack of
current contact information. Post is working with AmCham to locate
these applicants.


7. (U) Conclusion: The AmCham referral program continues to be an
extremely effective tool in Post's outreach to the local American
business community. The extremely high rates of both approvals and
returns demonstrate the successful partnership post has developed
with AmCham through this program. In the future Post will continue
to work closely with AmCham to improve and enhance the program.

GOLDBERG